Top Kyoto Cultural Tours

Take a tour of Kyoto's famous Gion district and learn all about the mysterious geisha traditions of the area. Get an insider’s perspective on facts about geisha culture that tourists usually miss, and pass by shops, shrines, and beautiful temples. To elevate your experience, the tour also includes a geisha show with an apprentice geisha, where you can watch a dance performance and ask questions.

Enrich yourself with the fascinating history of Kyoto’s numerous UNESCO-listed temples and shrines during this day trip from Osaka. Explore the seemingly endless ‘torii’ gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, visit Kiyomizu-dera temple, and explore Kinkaku-ji temple. Customize your trip by adding on a deluxe or standard Japanese style lunch, and select from four pickup points.

Cycle past a mix of Kyoto’s most-famous sights and its lesser-known secrets during this half-day ‘Hidden Kyoto’ bike tour. Take a 4.9-mile (8-kilometer) ride that starts by winding past iconic Kyoto temples and shrines like Kinkakuji, Koto-in, and Kitano Tenmagu. You’ll continue ‘off the beaten path,’ discovering intimate Zen gardens and charming backstreets known only to locals.

Discover both modern and traditional sides of history-rich Kyoto during this full-day private tour. Travel like a local by public transportation as you tick off the city’s most celebrated sights, from UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle to the well-preserved neighborhood of Higashiyama and streets of Gion, otherwise known as Kyoto’s Geisha district.

Discover Kyoto’s magical Gion district, which is known for being the city’s Geisha area. Don't worry about language barriers, as a guide is there to help you translate and explain the difference between maiko, geiko, and other Japanese words. The unmarked narrow streets of Gion can make it easy to get lost at night, but this is not a problem with a guide to navigate and lead the way. Upgrade to a longer, private tour for a closer look at Geisha culture.

Explore the wonderfully atmospheric Gion district at night Gain a deeper understanding of Japan’s culture and traditions from a friendly and knowledgeable guide Wander around traditional backstreets, visit offbeat temples and shrines, and even get to catch a glimpse of a geiko or maiko (apprentice geiko) Book at any time – last-minute bookings are accepted! Enjoy the intimacy of a small group tour (no more than 9 people)

Get an insiders' eye perspective on Kyoto on this walking tour that combines a food tour with anthropological insight. Wander through the city's streets and understand the nighttime entertainment scene, from geiko (geisha) to hostesses. Afterward, sample regional specialties accompanied by included drinks at standing bars/restaurants.

Follow a customizable itinerary through Kyoto during this bespoke half-day private tour. Simply select with attractions you’d like to visit and enjoy an in-depth visit in the company of your own personal nationally licensed guide. Tours include a front-door pickup at the front of your hotel. Travel like a local by public transportation or taxi; upgrade to include a private car at an additional cost.

Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations and with over 50 million annual visitors, it can get busy. This tour makes an early start so you can avoid the crowds and cram much more into your day. Stroll through the torii gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine before the big tour groups get there, see Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion) right as it opens, and have a chance to see the bamboo forest of Arashiyama before the midday masses arrive.

Ramen is one of Japan’s most popular dishes—a noodle and broth soup, topped with various meat or vegetable combinations. On this tour, learn how to make ramen from scratch at a local ramen factory, including making the noodles, mixing the soup, and adding the toppings. Finish by enjoying your delicious bowl of home-cooked ramen. The factory is also Halal-certified and vegetarian and vegan options are available on request.

Active travelers will love seeing Kyoto’s sights from the seat of a bicycle. You’ll cover more ground than on a walking tour but get a more intimate experience than on a bus tour. Visit must-see highlights including the Imperial Palace, the Gion district, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple), and Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine. Refuel with a hearty Japanese lunch.

Take control of your Kyoto sightseeing and visit only the sights you wish to see on this private walking tour. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour lets you customize a half-day or full-day itinerary. Opt to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle, or to stray from the beaten path to see an alternative side of Kyoto. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Find out what's it's like to be a ninja. This small-group beginners class in a Kyoto dojo introduces you to the basics of ninja training. You'll learn how to breathe, walk, and meditate like a ninja; practice throwing ninja weapons; and learn how to use ninja swords. It's a unique Japanese experience for all ages.

Active travelers will love the opportunity to explore the northern parts of Kyoto by bike. Your local guide will make sure you don’t get lost, and will show you to back alleys and hidden corners that you might miss otherwise, as well as some of the famous attractions that shouldn’t be missed. Cycle on comfortable bike, and enjoy an authentic Japanese lunch to refuel.

Gain a better understanding of sake during this tour that explores the Fushimi Sake District of Kyoto. Visit Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, one of the largest sake breweries in Fushimi, and end your visit with a sake-tasting session. Not only will your guide be able to explain the basics of sake and introduce you to new kinds you may have never tried, but your tastings will also be paired with Japanese snacks that enhance the tasting experience. 

Start your day right on a fun small-group breakfast walking tour of Kyoto’s Nishiki Market. This is a great opportunity to learn more about local Japanese food while seeing some sights that you might otherwise miss. Start with a stroll through historic Gion before tucking into the delicacies on offer in the 400-year-old market that’s known as the “kitchen of Kyoto”. The walking tour lasts around 2.5 hours.

This guided tour helps you discover lots of Kyoto’s dispersed temples, shrines, and cultural attractions in one day. Save time researching and planning your trip, by having the itinerary organized for you. Travel in an air-conditioned coach for a hassle-free day. Highlights include Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Sagano Bamboo Forest, and Kinkaku-ji Temple.

If your time in Kyoto is limited and you want to see lots of its famous sights in a day, then this private guided tour is an excellent choice. Explore the city with a private guide to take care of navigating. Along the way, tick off 10 top sights, including the beautiful temple of Kiyomizu-dera, the geisha district of Gion, the lush bamboo groves, and plenty more scenic surprises.

Since the end of the pandemic, Kyoto is very crowded during the daytime. This tour allows you to enjoy the calm atmosphere of the original Kyoto cityscape at a time when there are fewer people in town. We will also take you to some spectacular scenic spots that are not well known to tourists. you might be able to meet maiko and geisha at night. Do you prefer a walking tour with 20 or 30 people? This tour is offered in small groups of up to 6 people., so it is easy to talk to the guide and you will certainly be pleased with this tour. It is nice to visit famous temples efficiently by car, but don't forget to enjoy the traditional streets of Kyoto while walking.

Discover the history and religions of ancient Japan during this full-day exploration of Kyoto and Nara. See Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle, along with its Imperial Palace. Then drive from Kyoto to Nara to explore its own World Heritage Site, Todai-ji Temple, plus Kasuga Shrine. This hassle-free day trip includes a guide and hassle-free air-conditioned transport between sites.

Discover the historic environs of Nara, ancient capital of Japan, as you explore Buddhist temples, shrines and the famous Nara deer park on this excursion from Kyoto. Visit Todaji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan and home to the country’s largest Buddha statue, before seeing Kasuga Shrine, which features over 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. Then stop by Nara Park, a 1,250-acre reserve that’s home to more than 1,000 deer.

If you’re visiting Japan for the first time, receive a cultural introduction to the country during a tea ceremony in traditional kimonos. During the ceremony, learn about Japanese history and sample matcha green tea, a local specialty. Plus, wearing a traditional kimono means you leave the experience with fantastic photographs to commemorate your time in Kyoto.

Please find out this tour on IG #travel.japan_together Let's enjoy bar hopping tour at Kyoto Kawaramachi area! Our guide will take you to real local bar and izakaya, difficult to find for foreigners. This experience is not just for local foods and drinks, give you the opportunity to connect with local people. Normally we will guide you two places, "Kawaramachi" and "Kiyamachi" Kawaramachi: It's definitely the heart of Kyoto, and you can enjoy vibrant atmosphere there. We will show you hidden alley as well, with local tour guide. Kiyamachi: it feels there are many hideaway local restaurants, and bars. You can enjoy authentic and traditional vibes of Kyoto. ※If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance. ※Alcoholic drinks is not suitable for children 19 years old or under. ※We split the total amount, and 99 yen or less will be rounded up to make accounting smoother.